Explore the Top Online Criminal Justice Programs in Texas
Learn about the best online criminal justice programs in Texas today so you can get the education you need to jump-start or advance your career in corrections, law enforcement, or other related areas.
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If you’re looking to launch a new career in law enforcement or corrections, or seeking more responsibilities and better pay in your current job, Texas criminal justice schools offer programs that provide policy knowledge and social science skills needed to achieve your goals. This guide explores the criminal justice degree options available in Texas, highlights some of this year’s top-ranked schools, and examines convenient online criminal justice degree programs in the state. Additionally, it examines job outlook and earnings trends for criminal justice graduates and lists key student resources. Read on to discover the best online criminal justice schools in the state.
Types of Criminal Justice Degrees
The best criminal justice schools in Texas offer options that cater to individuals who are familiar with the field as well as those who are just starting out. These options use a variety of starting points designed to achieve different outcomes, building upon previous experience. Whether you’re looking to advance your career or pursue a new one, there is a pathway for you. Discover more about these options and find out which one meets your needs below.
Undergraduate Criminal Justice Degrees in Texas
Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice
Associate degrees in criminal justice are typically offered by community or junior colleges and take around 2 years to complete. These programs offer basic training in criminal justice and prepare students for entry-level positions in corrections and law enforcement. If you’re interested in advancing your career but not ready to make a 4-year commitment, an associate degree is an excellent option. It provides a solid social science foundation to build upon and makes it easy to transfer to a bachelor’s program.
Examples of Accredited Texas Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
Midland College: Associate of Science – Criminal Justice
- City: Midland
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Southwest Texas Junior College: Criminal Justice A.A.S.
- City: Uvalde
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Western Texas College: Criminal Justice Associate of Applied Science
- City: Snyder
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Central Texas College: Criminal Justice (AAS)
- City: Killeen
- Delivery: Online and On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Temple College: Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
- City: Temple; Hutto; Taylor
- Delivery: Online and On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminal Justice
A Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is one of the most prominent pathways and provides comprehensive training in the discipline. Most Texas criminal justice schools offer this degree, either as a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science, to prepare students for work in a range of contexts. These programs build upon previous work, in some cases, and develop new competencies in criminal justice research, court procedures, and forensics.
Examples of Accredited Texas Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
Texas Wesleyan University: Criminal Justice, B.S.
- City: Fort Worth
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Texas A&M University, San Antonio: Criminology and Criminal Justice Program
- City: San Antonio
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Texas College: Criminal Justice Degree
- City: Tyler
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
The University of Texas, Permian Basin: BS in Criminal Justice
- City: Odessa
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
East Texas Baptist University: Criminal Justice (B.A.S.)
- City: Marshall
- Delivery: Online and On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Graduate Criminal Justice Degrees in Texas
Master’s Degrees in Criminal Justice
A graduate degree in criminal justice prepares individuals for higher-paying and more responsible roles in the field. These programs advance knowledge gained at the undergraduate level and deepen skills in criminology and social science. The best criminal justice schools in Texas also provide opportunities to specialize in areas such as criminal justice administration, public policy, or leadership and management. Graduate programs typically conclude in 2-3 years with a capstone component, usually a thesis, internship, or fieldwork experience.
Examples of Accredited Texas Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
The University of Texas at Tyler: Criminal Justice MS Degree – Online
- City: Tyler
- Delivery: Online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Texas A&M International University: Master of Science in Criminal Justice Online
- City: Laredo
- Delivery: Online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Midwestern State University: Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
- City: Wichita Falls; Flower Mound
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
The University of Houston Downtown: Master of Science in Criminal Justice
- City: Houston
- Delivery: Online and On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
University of North Texas at Dallas: MS in Criminal Justice
- City: Dallas
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Criminal Justice PhD Programs
For professionals interested in working at the highest levels of practice, a doctorate in criminal justice is an option. Degree-holders typically work in academic or research-oriented roles in areas such as forensic investigation, policy administration, and postsecondary education. Candidates usually graduate within 5 years, but timelines can vary widely since students must complete and defend original dissertation projects in addition to core coursework in topics such as victimology and crime mapping.
Examples of Accredited Texas Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
Texas State University: Doctoral Program in Criminal Justice
- City: San Marcos
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
The University of Texas at Dallas: Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology
- City: Dallas
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Sam Houston State University: Criminal Justice Doctorate of Philosophy
- City: Huntsville
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Tarleton State University: Ph.D. in Criminal Justice
- City: Stephenville
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Texas Southern University: Administration of Justice (Ph.D.)
- City: Houston
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Criminal Justice Graduate Certificates
Graduate certificates in criminal justice give working professionals with some academic experience the chance to gain new skills without committing to an entire degree program. This means you can maintain your current professional position and advance your career at the same time. Many certificate programs only take a year to complete and most focus on a single skill or topics like correctional practice, leadership and management, or criminal investigation.
Examples of Accredited Texas Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
Blinn College District: Correction Certificate
- City: Brenham
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Western Texas College: Criminal Justice Certificate
- City: Snyder
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
University of Houston-Downtown: Applied Correctional Practice Graduate Certificate
- City: Houston
- Delivery: Online, On-Campus, Hybrid
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Sam Houston State University: Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Certificate
- City: Huntsville
- Delivery: Online
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Central Texas College: Criminal Justice Studies Certificate
- City: Killeen
- Delivery: Online and On-Campus
- Accreditation: SACSCOC
Financial Aid Opportunities for Criminal Justice Students in Texas
Although the best criminal justice schools in Texas offer affordable tuition rates, costs for any degree program can still be significant. Financial aid can help alleviate some of the financial burden. Grants and scholarship awards are excellent ways to finance your education because they do not need to be repaid and are sometimes renewable.
Many Texas criminal justice schoolsextend financial aid opportunities to new and returning students, especially at the graduate level. Such awards are typically need- or merit-based and often limited to enrolled students, unlike nationwide opportunities. Organizations like the Texas Jail Association and the Texas Corrections Association also extend scholarships to criminal justice students. For more information on financial aid opportunities, see our scholarship listing and our main financial aid guide.
Employment and Earnings Outlook for Criminal Justice Grads in Texas
The job market for graduates of Texas criminal justice schoolsis encouraging. The nationwide growth rate for all jobs is currently 4%, which means graduates going into policing, education, and criminal investigation see more opportunity – more than double in some cases – than professionals in other sectors.
Those same occupations also benefit from higher overall salary prospects. The annual mean wage throughout Texas is currently $52,400, so detectives, postsecondary teachers, and police officers can potentially earn more than other professions through at least 2028.
The data below details the conditions for key roles in corrections, law enforcement, and education, including earning potential and growth rates based on the latest projections. In each case, jobs remain in demand, especially when compared to other industries.
| Job Growth (2018-2028) | Avg. Annual Openings (2018-2028) | Annual Mean Wage (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Police Officers | 9% | 5,040 | $65,540 |
| Probation Officers | 2.4% | 510 | $48,350 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 7.4% | 1,300 | $81,920 |
| Criminal Justice Teachers, Postsecondary | 16.2% | 120 | $55,770 |
| Correctional Officers | 2.6% | 3,960 | $44,230 |
Sources: Projections Central; Bureau of Labor Statistics
Resources for Criminal Justice Professionals and Students in Texas
Correctional Management Institute of Texas
This Huntsville-based institute is affiliated with Sam Houston State University and works to enhance corrections by conducting field research. It also sponsors training and continuing education opportunities in criminal justice and law enforcement.
This association supports local criminal justice and corrections professionals through professional development opportunities and mentorship. It offers scholarships to qualified criminal justice students, recognizes outstanding work in the field, and updates its members with new job ads.
Texas Criminal Justice Coalition
This organization partners with local sponsors and criminal justice professionals to build safer communities and reform correctional practices. It maintains an extensive resource center, composes white papers, and hosts regional events.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
This state agency oversees criminal justice efforts throughout Texas and manages several correctional facilities. It keeps an active job board for new openings, publicizes relevant news, and generates an active directory of facilities and initiatives.
Established in 1986, the Texas Jail Association represents correction officers employed in local jails across the Lone Star State. It hosts industry conferences, extends scholarships and awards, and develops policy positions on key issues.
